Reduced-profile date transmission element connectors, adapters, and connection assemblies thereof

ABSTRACT

Reduced-profile connection components are described. The reduced-profile connection components are configured to connect various data transmission elements, including cables, network devices, and computing devices. A non-limiting example of a connection component includes a fiber optic connection component, including connectors, adapters, and assemblies formed therefrom. In some embodiments, the connection components may include mechanical transfer (MT) and multi-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) connection components, such as MT ferrules and MPO adapters. The reduced-profile connection components configured according to some embodiments have a smaller profile and/or require less parts to achieve a connection compared to conventional connection components. In some embodiments, the reduced-profile connection components may be used with conventional connection components. For example a reduced-profile connector may use a conventional MT ferrule to establish a connection within a conventional MPO adapter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/951,680, filed on Nov. 18, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/257,488 filed on Jan. 25, 2019, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/483,123, filedApr. 10, 2017, and is now granted U.S. Pat. No. 10,197,740 issued onJul. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/299,224 which isnow U.S. Pat. No. 9,618,702, issued on Apr. 11, 2017, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The described technology generally relates to components for connectingdata transmission elements and, more specifically, to connectors,adapters, and connection assemblies formed therefrom that are configuredto have a reduced profile and/or a reduced quantity of parts incomparison to conventional connection components while providing asecure connection between data transmission elements, such as cablesegments, equipment, and/or devices.

BACKGROUND

Demand for bandwidth by enterprises and individual consumers continuesto experience exponential growth. To meet this demand efficiently andeconomically, data centers have to achieve ultra-high density cablingwith low loss budgets. Fiber optics have become the standard cablingmedium used by data centers to meet the growing needs for data volumeand transmission speeds.

Individual optical fibers are extremely small. For example, even withprotective coatings, optical fibers may be only about 250 microns indiameter (only about 4 times the diameter of a human hair). As such,hundreds of fibers can be installed in cables that will take uprelatively little space. However, terminating these fibers withconnectors greatly increases the space required to connect cablesegments and communication devices. Although multiple fibers may bearranged within a single connector, the resulting connection componentmay still increase the space used by the optical fibers by 20 to 50fold. For example, multi-fiber connectors such as those usingmulti-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO) technology may connect 12 or 24fibers. However, a typical MPO connector may have a length of about 30millimeters to 50 millimeters and a width of about 10 millimeters to 15millimeters. Multiplying these dimensions by the hundreds of connectionsin a typical data center results in a significant amount of spacedevoted to these cable connections. In order to cost-effectivelyincrease data transmission capacity and speed, data centers mustincrease the number of fiber optic cables and, therefore, cableconnections within existing space. Accordingly, data centers and othercommunication service providers would benefit from a multi-fiberconnector having a reduced profile capable of securely connectingmultiple fibers while requiring less space than conventional multi-fiberconnectors.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

In one aspect, a reduced-profile connection assembly may include anadapter, a ferrule having a connection side, and a reduced-profile clipfixedly arranged within the adapter, the reduced-profile clip havinghooks configured to engage a portion of the ferrule opposite theconnection side to prevent movement of the ferrule within the adapter.

In one aspect, a reduced-profile connection assembly may include aferrule having a connection end, a connector including an inner housinghaving the ferrule fixedly arranged therein at a first end and flangesextending from a second end opposite the first end and an ejectorhousing disposed around the inner housing and configured to slide alongthe inner housing between a locked position and an unlocked position,and an adapter having a clip fixedly arranged therein, the clip havinghooks configured to engage protrusions extending from an outer surfaceof the inner housing to prevent movement of the inner housing within theadapter, wherein the ejector housing interfaces with the clip in thelocked position to prevent disengagement of the hooks from theprotrusions.

In one aspect, a reduced-profile connection assembly may include aferrule, a connector having the ferrule fixedly arranged therein andcomprising at least one adapter latch having at least one adapter latchprojection, and an adapter having at least on recess, the at least onerecess configured to engage the adapter latch projection when theconnector is locked in the adapter to prevent movement of the connectorwithin the adapter.

In one aspect, a reduced-profile connection assembly may include aferrule, a connector having the ferrule fixedly arranged therein andcomprising at least one adapter latch having at least one adapter latchprojection, and an adapter having a clip fixedly arranged therein, theclip having a recess configured to engage the adapter latch projectionwhen the connector is locked in the adapter to prevent movement of theconnector within the adapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative conventional multiple-fiberpush-on/pull-off (MPO) type multi-fiber connection assembly.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict an illustrative connector of a conventional MPOconnection assembly.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a connector arranged within anassembly.

FIGS. 4A-4E depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a ferrule clip embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5F depict reduced-profile connection components according to adual-housing embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a first resilient latch embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7J depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a second resilient latch embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8E depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a third resilient latch embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described technology generally relates to components configured toconnect data transmission elements, such as cable segments,communication equipment, networking devices, and computing devices. Insome embodiments, the data transmission elements may be connected usingreduced-profile connection components, including, without limitation,connectors, ferrules, adapters, and connection assemblies formedtherefrom. The reduced-profile connection components may be configuredto require fewer elements and/or less space than conventional connectioncomponents. In general, a reduced profile connection component may besmaller in at least one dimension in comparison to a correspondingconventional connection component. In some embodiments, thereduced-profile connection components and/or portions thereof may beused with existing conventional connection components. For example, someembodiments may include a reduced-profile connector configured toprovide a secure connection using a conventional adapter. Thereduced-profile connection assemblies and portions thereof may be madefrom various resilient materials, such as plastics, polymers, rubber,silicon-based materials, and any combination thereof.

The described technology provides multiple technological advantages. Anon-limiting example of a technological advantage is thatreduced-profile connection components and connections formed using thereduced-profile connection components require less space, for example,on a connection interface of a device in a data room. In this manner, anincreased number of connections may be formed in a smaller area. Anothernon-limiting example of a technological advantage is thatreduced-profile connection components may generally require fewerelements and/or materials than corresponding conventional connectioncomponents. This technological advantage may operate, among otherthings, to reduce the effort and/or cost associated with assembling theconnection component. A further non-limiting example of a technologicaladvantage is that the reduced-profile connection components are easierto manipulate, such as establishing and/or removing a connection (forinstance, “plugging in”/“unplugging” a component) than correspondingconventional connection components.

In some embodiments, the data transmission elements may include fiberoptic data transmission elements. In some embodiments, thereduced-profile connection components may include components configuredto provide a secure connection for fiber optic data transmissionelements. In some embodiments, the reduced-profile connection componentsmay be configured to implement various types of fiber optic connectioncomponents, including multiple-fiber (or multi-fiber) connectioncomponents. Non-limiting examples of multi-fiber connection componentsinclude mechanical transfer (MT), multiple-fiber push-on/pull-off (MPO),and multi-fiber MTP® connectors (“MTP”). Although fiber optic connectioncomponents, and MPO-compatible components in particular, are used asexamples herein, embodiments are not so limited as any type of datatransmission medium and associated components capable of operatingaccording to some embodiments are contemplated herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative conventional MPO type multi-fiberconnection assembly (an “MPO connection assembly”). As shown in FIG. 1,an MPO connection assembly 100 may include connectors 105, 110 and acorresponding optical fiber adapter (“adapter”) 115. The connectors 105,110 may be designated as a male connector 105, which has guide pins or“pins” 120, and a female connector 110, which has pin receptacles, guidepin holes, or “holes” 140. The guide pins 120 may be arranged within amale ferrule 130 on a connection side thereof and the guide pin holes140 may be arranged within a female ferrule 150 on a connection sidethereof. The ferrules 130, 150 may be formed from plastic or otherpolymer materials. The ferrules 130, 150 may be configured as MT typeferrules.

The connectors 105, 110 may be coupled with each other through theadapter 115 such that the guide pins 120 can be inserted into the guidepin holes 140 and the face of the male ferrule 130 will be in contactwith the face of the female ferrule 150, connecting the ends of theoptical fibers (or “ribbon”) 135 arranged within each respectiveferrule. The optical fibers 135 may be arranged between the guide pins120 on the male ferrule 130 and between the guide pin holes 140 on thefemale ferrule 150 such that the ends of the optical fibers will line upand form a continuous our substantially continuous fiber opticconnection. The ferrules 130, 150 may include various numbers of opticalfibers 135, such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, or 72 optical fibers. When theconnectors 105, 110 are coupled through the adapter 115, hooks (forexample, flanges or resilient flanges) 160 disposed on a clip (an“adapter clip”) arranged within the adapter 115 can hook on recesses 125of the connector 105 and recesses 145 of the connector 110 to supportand maintain the connection of optical fibers 135 between the ferrules130, 150. The guide pins 120 and the guide pin holes 140 operate to lineup the ends of the optical fibers 135 on the faces of the ferrules 130,150 and the adapter 115 operates to provide a compression force on theferrules configured to maintain sufficient contact therebetween tosupport a connection between the opposing optical fibers.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict an illustrative connector of a conventional MPOconnection assembly. As shown in FIG. 2A, a connector 105 may include anejector housing 205 slidably disposed about a front housing 210connected to a boot 215. A ferrule 130 having a pin holder 235(collectively, may be referred to as a “ferrule” herein) may be arrangedwithin the front housing 210. Although a male connector 105 including amale ferrule 130 is depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, the illustrative connectordepicted therein may be configured the same or substantially similarusing a female connector 110 including a female ferrule 150. FIG. 2Bdepicts an expanded (or “exploded”) view of the connector 105. As shownin FIG. 2B, the connector may include a spring 225 configured to providea force against the ferrule 130 in a direction toward the front housing210 and away from the boot 215. The spring 225 may be arranged within aspring push (or “back post”) 220 configured to interface with the boot215. FIG. 2C depicts an expanded view of the ejector housing 205 and thefront housing 210 showing the springs 230 arranged therebetween. Thesprings 230 may operate to provide a force against the ejector housing205 to push the ejector housing toward the front of the front housing210 where the ferrule projects from the front housing and away from theboot 215.

The connector 105 may be inserted (or plugged) into an adapter 115 bypushing the connector, for example, using the boot, into the adapteruntil the hooks 160 in the adapter hook (or “snap”) on the recesses 125of the connector. The springs 230 may operate to maintain the ejectorhousing 205 in the forward (or “locked”) position to retain the hooks160 in the recesses 125 to preserve a secure connection. The connectormay be removed (or unplugged) from the adapter by pulling on the ejectorhousing 205 in a direction away from the adapter. As the ejector housing205 is pulled in a direction away from the adapter 115, the ejectorhousing can slide over the front housing 210 in a direction away fromthe adapter to remove the hooks 160 from the recesses 125, therebydisconnecting the connector 105.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, conventional MPO connectors 105 requiremultiple parts. For example, not including the ferrule 130 or componentsthereof, the connector 105 may require about 7 parts, including theejector housing 205, the front housing 210, the boot 215, the springpush 220, the spring 225, and the springs 230. All of the components ofthe connector 105 require time, material, and other resources and/orcosts to manufacture and assemble. In addition, the multiple componentsrequired for the connector 105 require the connector and connectionassembly 100 to have certain minimum dimensions and, therefore, anoverall profile. For example, a conventional connector 105 may be about30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters long and about 12 millimeters toabout 20 millimeters wide. Furthermore, plugging in the connector 105 tothe adapter 115 requires a sufficient pushing force, generally from theboot 215, while unplugging the connector requires a relatively largepulling force on the ejector housing 205. Accordingly, manipulating thecomponents of the connection assembly 105, such as pluggingin/unplugging the connector 105, is inefficient and challenging withinthe limited space around racks and modules within a typical data room.Moreover, assembling the connector 105 components, such as the housings205, 210 and the springs 230 and the spring push 220 and the spring 225,is time consuming, inefficient, and consumes valuable resources that mayotherwise be dedicated to data room maintenance.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a connector arranged within anassembly. As shown in FIG. 3, as the connector 105 is pushed into theadapter 115, the hooks 160 arranged on the clip 310 may spread apart andbe pushed over projections 170 on the outer surface of the front housing210 to become seated in the recess 125. In the locked position, thesprings 230 push the ejector housing 205 over and/or against the hooks160 to prevent the hooks from spreading apart and moving over theprojections 170, thereby maintaining the hooks within the recesses 125and preventing removal of the connector 105 from the adapter. In orderto remove the connector 105 from the adapter 115, the ejector housing205 must be pulled in a direction away from the adapter and toward theboot 215. The ejector housing 205 must be pulled with sufficient forceto overcome the tension provided by the springs 230 in order to allowthe ejector housing to slide over the front housing 210 and out of theadapter 115, uncovering the hooks 160. A continued force on the ejectorhousing 205 away from the adapter 115 causes the connector 105 to movein a direction away from the adapter, spreading apart the hooks 160,which slide over the projections 170 and free the connector 105 from theadapter.

FIGS. 4A-4E depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a ferrule clip embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, areduced-profile connection assembly may include a clip 405 (a “ferruleclip” or “reduced profile clip”) arranged within an adapter 425 andconfigured to hold a ferrule 130 therein. The clip 405 may include hooks410 configured to maintain the ferrule 130 within the adapter 425, forexample, by engaging with the ferrule 130 and/or a pin holder 420 on aside opposite a connection side or surface of the ferrule. In someembodiments, the ferrule 130 may not include a pin holder 420. In suchembodiments, a spacer (not shown) may be arranged within the clip 405 toengage the hooks 410 in a manner similar to the pin holder 420. In someembodiments, the hooks 410 may be configured to support and maintain aconnection between the ferrule 130 and a corresponding ferrule (notshown) within the adapter similar to the functionality provided by thespring 225 and the spring push 220 in a conventional connectionassembly.

In some embodiments, the clip 405 may be arranged within conventionalcomponents, such as a conventional adapter 425. For example, the reducedprofile connection assembly may include an MT ferrule 130 and an MPOadapter 425. In some embodiments, the adapter 425 may include areduced-profile component portion 435 and a conventional componentportion 440. The reduced-profile component portion 435 may be configuredto engage reduced-profile connection components, such as a ferrule 130that is not arranged within or in association with conventionalconnection components, such as an ejector housing 205, a front housing210, springs 230, spring 225, or the like. The conventional componentportion 440 may be configured to engage conventional connectioncomponents, such as MT, MPO, and/or MTP. As such, reduced-profileconnection components may be configured to operate with existing datatransmission equipment, devices, connection assemblies, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the adapter 425 may include a clip 430 for a secondferrule (not shown), such as a female ferrule corresponding with themale ferrule 130. Inserting the ferrule 130 within the clip 405 mayconnect the ferrule with the corresponding ferrule disposed within theclip 430. The hooks 410 may be configured to hold the ferrule 130 withinthe adapter 425 and to maintain the connection with the correspondingferrule located in the clip 430.

In some embodiments, the adapter 425 may include an external portion 435that may be located external to a communication device or structure (forinstance, a wall) and an internal portion 440 that may be locatedinternal to the communication device or structure. Non-limiting examplesof communication devices include computing devices, servers, racks,switches, hubs, cabling, outlets, network testing equipment, or thelike. In some embodiments, a first type of ferrule (for example, afemale ferrule (not shown)) may be arranged within the internal portion440 and a second type of ferrule (for example, a male ferrule 130) maybe installed (or plugged) into the external portion 435 to form aconnection with the first type of ferrule.

FIG. 4E depicts an illustrative ferrule installation device according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4E, a ferrule installation device 445may be used to install the ferrule 130 into the clip 410 of the adapter.The ferrule installation device 445 may include a lever 460 that may bepressed (for instance, pushed toward the body of the ferruleinstallation device) to raise a hook portion 455 thereof. The ferruleinstallation device 445 may grasp the ferrule 430 by raising the hookportion 455, inserting the ferrule into a frame portion 470 andreleasing the lever 460 to position the hook portion 460 against orwithin a portion of the ferrule, such as within a recess 565 disposedwithin the ferrule. As the ferrule installation device 445 is insertedinto the adapter, the frame portion 470 may engage the hooks 410 tospread them apart and allow the ferrule to be positioned within the clip405. In some embodiments, the frame portion 470 may engage one or moreprotrusions 475 arranged on an outer surface of the hooks 410. Once theferrule 430 has been positioned within the clip 405, the lever 460 maybe pressed, thereby disengaging the hook portion 455 from the ferrule130. As the ferrule installation device 445 is removed from the adapter425, the hooks 410 close in and engage the ferrule 130. The ferruleinstallation device 445 may have various dimensions, including a lengthof about 20 millimeters to about 40 millimeters. In some embodiments,the ferrule installation device 445 may have a length of about 36.5millimeters.

As compared with conventional connection components, such as connector105, the ferrule clip embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C does notrequire a housing, such as ejector housing 205 and front housing 210.The ferrule clip embodiment may be configured to use a clip 405 adaptedto hold and support a ferrule 130 without a housing and associatedcomponents, such as the spring 225 and the back pusher 220. In someembodiments, the hooks 410 of the clip 425 may only extend about 0millimeters (for example, the clip is entirely or substantially entirelylocated within the adapter 425), about 1 millimeter, about 2millimeters, about 3 millimeters, and any value or range between any twoof these values (including endpoints) outside of the adapter 425.Accordingly, the ferrule clip embodiment may be used to establish aconnection using about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters less spacethan conventional connection components.

Although the ferrule 130 depicted in illustrative embodiments herein,such as the ferrule clip embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C, is a maleMT ferrule, embodiments are not so limited. Indeed, the ferrule 130 maybe configured as any type and/or gender of ferrule capable of operatingaccording to some embodiments. In particular, some embodiments are“gender neutral,” in that either male or female connection componentsmay be used therewith.

FIGS. 5A-5F depict reduced-profile connection components according to adual-housing embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a reduced-profileconnector 500 may include an inner housing 510 configured to hold aferrule 130 in a front portion thereof. An outer housing 505 may beslidably disposed around the inner housing 505. The inner housing 510may include flanges 515 having projections 535 and recesses 545 formedthereon. FIGS. 5C and 5D depict the connector 505 arranged within anadapter 545 in an unlocked position and a locked position, respectively.In some embodiments, the adapter 545 may include a conventional adapterand/or adapter components, such as clips (“adapter clips,” “MPO adapterclips”, or “conventional clips”) 520. For example, the adapter 545 mayinclude a conventional MPO adapter and conventional clips 520 configuredto receive conventional ferrules, such as MT ferrules 130. In thismanner, the reduced-profile connector 500 may be used with conventionalconnection adapters 545.

As the connector 500 is pushed into the adapter 545, projections 550 onthe inner housing 510 may engage hooks 555 on the clip 520, therebyspreading the hooks apart 555 until the hooks clear the projections andseat within a recess 560. In the unlocked position, a distal portion 530of the outer housing 505 may be seated in recesses 540 of the flanges515. To lock the connector 505 in the adapter 545, the outer housing 505may be pushed along the inner housing 510 in a direction toward theadapter. As the outer housing 505 moves toward the adapter 545, thedistal portion 530 may push against the projections 535 of the flanges515 and may push the flanges 515 inward (for instance, away from theouter housing). As the flanges 515 move inward, the distal portion 530may slide over the projections 535 and the outer housing 505 may movetoward the adapter 545. The flanges 515 may return to the straightposition after the distal portion 530 clears the projections 535 and,therefore, the distal portion is no longer pushing on the projections.The projections 535 may prevent the outer housing 505 from sliding awayfrom the adapter 545. When the distal portion 530 has cleared theprojections 535, a proximal portion 525 of the outer housing 505 mayengage the hooks 555, preventing the hooks from spreading apart andsliding over the projections 550.

As shown in FIG. 5E, the inner housing 510 may include ferrule latches(or “bend-in latches”) 570 arranged on one or more surfaces thereof. Theferrule latches 570 may be configured to be pushed inward toward thehollow center of the inner housing 510. In FIG. 5F, a cross-sectionalview of the connector illustrates that the outer housing 505 may pushthe latches 570 inward to engage the ferrule 130 and/or a pin holder 565connected to the ferrule. The internal surfaces of the inner housing 510may also include projections 580 or other structures configured toengage the ferrule 530 to prevent the ferrule from moving in a directionopposite the ferrule latches 570. Accordingly, the ferrule latches 570may be configured to push or otherwise engage the ferrule 130 and/or thepin holder 565 to push the ferrule in a first direction (for example,away from the flanges 515) and/or prevent movement of the ferrule in asecond direction (for example, toward the flanges 515), while theprojections 580 may be configured to prevent movement of the ferrule inthe first direction. In this manner, the ferrule 130 may be supportedand maintained within the inner housing 510 when the outer housing 505is in a position that pushes down on the ferrule latches 570, forexample, when the outer housing is in the locked position.

In some embodiments, the connector 500 may use only 2 parts, forinstance, the outer housing 505 and the inner housing 510, to connectthe ferrule 130 to a corresponding ferrule (not shown) within theadapter 545. In comparison, conventional connectors may require 7components to achieve the same functionality. In some embodiments, theconnector 505 may have a length of about 20 millimeters to about 30millimeters. In some embodiments, the connector may have a length ofabout 26 millimeters. In some embodiments, the connector 505 may have alength of about 20 millimeters, about 22 millimeters, about 24millimeters, about 26 millimeters, about 28 millimeters, about 30millimeters, and any value or range between any two of these values(including endpoints). In some embodiments, the connector may have alength of about 26 millimeters. In some embodiments, when in the lockedposition, the connector 505 may extend out of the adapter 545 by about15 millimeters, about 20 millimeters, about 25 millimeters, about 30millimeters, and any value or range between any two of these values(including endpoints). In some embodiments, the connector 505 may extendout of the adapter 545 by about 24 millimeters.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a first resilient latch embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, a connector 610 may be configured to hold a ferrule 130. Theconnector 610 may include resilient latches, such as adapter latches 615and ferrule latches 620. The ferrule latches 620 may be configured tomaintain the ferrule 130 within the connector 610. For example, assemblyof the connector 610 may include inserting the ferrule 130 into a rearopening 630 of the connector 610 and pushing the ferrule toward thefront of the connector (for instance, the end opposite the rearopening). As the ferrule 130 passes through the connector 610 theferrule may engage the ferrule latches 620 and push the ferrule latchesoutward (for instance, away from the ferrule). When the ferrule 130and/or pin holder 625 passes the ferrule latches 620, the latches may nolonger being pushed outward. As such, the ferrule latches 620 mayretract to their normal position. The ferrule latches 620 may includeprojections or other structures (not shown) extending inward. Theseprojections may engage the ferrule 130 and/or pin holder 625 to preventthe movement of the ferrule toward the rear opening 630. The connector610 may also include one or more internal projections or other internalstructures configured to project inward toward the hollow cavity of theconnector to engage a front portion of the ferrule 130 and/or pin holder625. These internal projections may prevent movement of the ferrule 130in a direction toward the front of the connector 610, away from the rearopening 630. In this manner, the ferrule 130 may be held within theconnector 610.

FIGS. 6C and 6D depict a connector 610 arranged within an adapter 605.To insert the connector 610 into the adapter 605, the adapter latches615 may be pressed inward, toward the body of the connector sufficientto allow the first projections 640 to clear inner wall portions 650 ofthe adapter. When the first projections 640 have cleared the inner wallportions 650, the first projections may seat in recesses (or openings)645 in the inner wall of the adapter 605 and the inner wall portions 650may seat in recesses 655 of the adapter latches 615. When the connector610 is in the adapter, for example, when the first projections haveseated in the recesses 645 and/or the ferrule 130 has established aconnection with a corresponding ferrule (not shown), the inner pressingforce on the adapter latches 615 may be released and second projections635 may interface with the inner wall portions 650. The secondprojections 635 may prevent movement of the connector 610 further intothe adapter 605 by engaging the inner wall portions. Accordingly,removal and/or insertion (plugging in) of the connector 610 into theadapter 605 may only require pressing on the adapter latches 615 whilepushing the connector into the adapter.

In some embodiments, the adapter 605 may include a reduced-profilecomponent portion 660 and a conventional component portion 665. Thereduced-profile component portion 660 may be configured to engagereduced-profile connection components, such as the connector 610 and/ora ferrule 130 that is not arranged within or in association withconventional connection components, such as an ejector housing 205, afront housing 210, springs 230, spring 225, or the like. Theconventional component portion 665, may be configured to engageconventional connection components, such as MT, MPO, and/or MTP. Assuch, reduced-profile connection components may be configured to operatewith existing data transmission equipment, devices, connectionassemblies, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the connector 610 may use only 1 part (the actualconnector 610), not including the ferrule 130. In comparison,conventional connectors may require 7 components to achieve the samefunctionality. In some embodiments, the connector 610 may have a lengthof about 10 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. In some embodiments,the connector may have a length of about 13 millimeters. In someembodiments, the connector 610 may have a length of about 10millimeters, about 12 millimeters, about 14 millimeters, about 16millimeters, about 18 millimeters, about 20 millimeters, and any valueor range between any two of these values (including endpoints).

FIGS. 7A-7J depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a second resilient latch embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, a connector 710 may be configured to hold a ferrule 130, forexample, connected to a pin holder 775. The ferrule 130 may include arecess 780 or other similar structure for engaging portions of theinside surface of the main body 760. The connector 710 may include aresilient adapter latch 715 arranged on a top portion thereof. Theadapter latch 715 may include a catch projection 725, a catch surface730, and a recess 735. The connector 710 may include a main body 760 anda rear cover assembly (or “rear cover”) 755 configured to attach to (or“snap”) into the main body. The rear cover 755 may include springs 770and flanges 765. In some embodiments, the springs 770 may be configuredto press against the flanges 765 to provide a force pushing the flangesoutward (for example, away from the springs). In some embodiments, theflanges 765 may provide a barrier to the springs 770 such that the forceof the springs may be directed toward the ferrule 130 and/or pin holder775 instead of, without the flanges, in a direction orthogonal to theferrule. In some embodiments, the springs 770 may be formed as one piecewith curled ends configured to provide a resilient force.

FIGS. 7D and 7E depict the connector 710 and an adapter 705 configuredto receive the connector 710. The adapter 705 may include a clip 720having, as depicted in FIG. 7F, hooks 745, a latch catch 750 formed, andan opening immediately adjacent the latch catch. The connector 710 maybe inserted into the adapter 705 by pressing down (for instance, towardthe main body 760) the adapter latch 715 while pushing the connectorinto the opening 740 of the adapter. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 7Gand 7H, the connector 710 may engage the clip 720 within the adapter tomaintain (or “lock”) the connector within the adapter.

FIGS. 7G and 7H depict a cross-section of top-down view and a side view,respectively, of a connector 710 installed in an adapter 705. As shownin FIG. 7G, the rear cover 755 may be installed within the main body 760of the connector 205. As the rear cover 755 is being pushed into themain body 760, the flanges 765 may be pressed inward (toward the springs770) until the flanges clear a back portion 785 of the main body andbecome seated on an internal side of the back portion. The springs 770may engage the ferrule 130 and/or pin holder 775 and push the ferrule ina direction away from the rear cover 755.

In some embodiments, the adapter 705 may be used for conventionalconnection components (not shown), such as MPO connectors, and forreduced-profile connectors 710. In some embodiments, the hooks 745 ofthe clip 720 may not engage or may not substantially engage theconnector. For instance, the hooks 745 may not touch and/or engage theconnector 710 in a manner that retains the connector within the adapter705. In some embodiments, the hooks 745 may be used to engage and retaina conventional connector, such as an MPO connector.

The connector 710 may be inserted in the adapter 705 by pushing down onthe adapter latch 715 to allow the catch projection 725 of the adapterlatch to clear (to slide under) the latch catch 750 of the clip 720while pushing the connector through the opening 740. When the catchprojection 725 has cleared the latch catch 750, the adapter latch 715may be released. The resilient nature of the adapter latch 715 may causethe adapter latch to push upward (away from the main body 760). Theupper force of the adapter latch 715 may cause the catch projection 725to engage an inner surface of the latch catch 750, the latch catch to beseated in the recess 735, and/or the catch surface 730 to engage anouter surface of the latch catch. The engagement between the catchprojection 725 and the latch catch 750 may prevent the connector 710from being removed from the adapter 705. Accordingly, removal and/orinsertion (plugging in) of the connector 710 into the adapter 705 onlyrequires pressing on the adapter latches 715 while pushing the connectorinto the adapter.

FIG. 71 depicts an internal view of the connector 710 installed withinthe adapter 705. FIG. 7J depicts a connector 710 in which the pin holderengages a spring element 785 instead of the spring 770.

In some embodiments, the connector 710 may use only 3 or less parts, notincluding the ferrule 130. For example, the connector 710 may includethe main body 760, the rear cover 755, and/or the spring 770. Incomparison, conventional connectors may require 7 components to achievethe same functionality. In some embodiments, the connector 710 may havea length of about 10 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. In someembodiments, the connector may have a length of about 13 millimeters. Insome embodiments, the connector 710 have a length of about 10millimeters, about 12 millimeters, about 14 millimeters, about 16millimeters, about 18 millimeters, about 20 millimeters, and any valueor range between any two of these values (including endpoints).

FIGS. 8A-8E depict illustrative reduced-profile connection componentsaccording to a third resilient latch embodiment. As shown in FIGS.8A-8C, a connector 810 may be configured to hold a ferrule 130. Theconnector 810 may include a resilient adapter latch 815 on a top portionthereof. The adapter latch 815 may include a catch projection 825.

FIGS. 8D and 8F depict a cross-section of top-down view and a side view,respectively, of a connector 810 installed in an adapter 805. Theadapter 805 may include a clip 720, as depicted in FIG. 7F, having hooks745 and a latch catch 750 formed thereon. In some embodiments, theadapter 705 may be used for conventional connection components (notshown), such as MPO connectors, and for reduced-profile connectors 710.In some embodiments, the hooks 745 of the clip 720 may not engage or maynot substantially engage the connector. For instance, the hooks 745 maynot touch and/or engage the connector 710 in a manner that retains theconnector within the adapter 705. In some embodiments, the hooks 745 maybe used to engage and retain a conventional connector, such as an MPOconnector. The connector 810 may include various structures 850, such asprojections, ridges, spacers, or the like that are configured to engagethe pin holder 745 and/or the rear portion of the ferrule 130 to preventthe ferrule from moving toward the rear portion of the connector 810.

The connector 810 may be inserted into the adapter 805 by pressing down(for instance, toward the ferrule 130) the adapter latch 815 whilepushing the connector into the opening 840 of the adapter. The connector810 may engage with the clip 720 within the adapter to maintain (or“lock”) the connector within the adapter. The connector 810 may beinserted in the adapter 805 by pushing down on the adapter latch 815 toallow the catch projection 825 of the adapter latch to clear (to slideunder) the latch catch 750 of the clip 720 while pushing the connectorthrough the opening 840. When the catch projection 825 has cleared thelatch catch 750, the adapter latch 815 may be released. The resilientnature of the adapter latch 815 may cause the adapter latch to pushupward (for instance, away from the ferrule 130). The upper force of theadapter latch 815 may cause the catch projection 825 to engage an innersurface of the latch catch 750. The engagement between the catchprojection 825 and the latch catch 750 may prevent the connector 810from being removed from the adapter 805. Accordingly, removal and/orinsertion (plugging in) of the connector 810 into the adapter 805 onlyrequires pressing on the adapter latches 815.

In some embodiments, the connector 810 may use only 2 or less parts, notincluding the ferrule 130. For example, the connector 810 may include amain body and a rear cover. In comparison, conventional connectors mayrequire 7 components to achieve the same functionality. In someembodiments, the connector 810 may have a length of about 10 millimetersto about 20 millimeters. In some embodiments, the connector may have alength of about 13 millimeters. In some embodiments, the connector 810have a length of about 10 millimeters, about 12 millimeters, about 14millimeters, about 16 millimeters, about 18 millimeters, about 20millimeters, and any value or range between any two of these values(including endpoints).

Although a fiber optic connector has been used as an illustrativeembodiment, this detailed description is not so limited, as any type ofelectrical and/or communication connector may be used according to someembodiments. The connectors, adapters, and connection assemblies formedtherefrom may be used in combination with other connection elementsand/or materials, such as crimpers, bands, straps, ferrules, lockingmaterials, fluids, gels, or the like.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to”). While various compositions, methods, and devices aredescribed in terms of “comprising” various components or steps(interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), thecompositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or“consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminologyshould be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups. Itwill be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example),the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, meansat least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, inthose instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B,and C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended inthe sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention(for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (for example, “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, or the like. As a non-limiting example, each range discussedherein can be readily broken down into a lower third, a middle third,and an upper third. As will also be understood by one skilled in the artall language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include thenumber recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken downinto subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by oneskilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, forexample, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2,3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical fiber connector comprising: an outerhousing; an MT ferrule received in the outer housing, the MT ferruleconfigured to receive at least eight optical fibers at spaced apartlocations along a fiber alignment axis; and a depressible latch armdisposed on the outer housing such that the depressible latch arm isspaced apart along the fiber alignment axis from the MT ferrule.
 2. Theoptical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the opticalfiber connector is configured to plug into a port of an adapter.
 3. Theoptical fiber connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein the depressiblelatch arm comprises a hook portion configured to latch into a latchingrecess of the adapter when the optical fiber connector plugs into theport.
 4. The optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 3, whereinthe depressible latch arm is configured to be depressed to unlatch thehook portion from the latching recess and release the optical fiberconnector from the adapter port.
 5. The optical fiber connector as setforth in claim 1, wherein the outer housing has a generally rectangularcross sectional shape.
 6. The optical fiber connector as set forth inclaim 5, wherein the outer housing comprises opposite first and secondsides spaced apart along the fiber alignment axis and opposite third andfourth sides spaced apart along a perpendicular axis perpendicular tothe fiber alignment axis.
 7. The optical fiber connector as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the depressible latch arm is disposed on the firstside.
 8. The optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 7, whereinthe first and second sides have a first dimension in along theperpendicular axis and the third and fourth sides have a seconddimension along the fiber alignment axis, the first dimension being lessthan the second dimension.
 9. The optical fiber connector as set forthin claim 6, further comprising a polarity key disposed on one of thefirst, second, third, and fourth sides.
 10. The optical fiber connectoras set forth in claim 1, wherein the depressible latch arm is configuredto be depressed toward the outer housing and resiliently rebound whenreleased.
 11. The optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1,wherein the optical fiber connector has a front end portion and a rearend portion spaced apart along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to thefiber alignment axis.
 12. The optical fiber connector as set forth inclaim 11, wherein the depressible latch arm comprises a front endportion and a rear end portion spaced apart along the longitudinal axis,the front end portion of the depressible latch arm being located closerto the MT ferrule along the fiber alignment axis than the rear endportion of the depressible latch arm.
 13. The optical fiber connector asset forth in claim 12, wherein the front end portion of the depressiblelatch arm has a substantially fixed position along the fiber alignmentaxis in relation to the outer housing and wherein the rear end portionof the depressible latch arm is configured to be depressed toward theouter housing along the fiber alignment axis.
 14. The optical fiberconnector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the MT ferrule comprises aferrule flange and the outer housing comprises an inner shoulder portiondirectly engaging the ferrule flange to support the MT ferrule in theouter housing.
 15. The optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1,wherein the depressible latch hook comprises a first depressible latchhook, the optical fiber connector further comprising a seconddepressible latch hook on an opposite side of the MT ferrule from thefirst depressible latch hook.
 16. An adapter for mating with an opticalfiber connector comprising an MT ferrule having at least eight opticalfibers spaced apart along a fiber alignment axis, the adaptercomprising: a generally rectangular perimeter wall extendingcircumferentially around a port configured plugging the optical fiberconnector into the port, the generally rectangular perimeter wallcomprising opposite first and second sides spaced apart along a firstaxis and opposite third and fourth sides spaced apart along a secondaxis perpendicular to the first axis, the first side of the perimeterwall defining a latch recess, the latch recess being configured to latchwith a depressible latch arm of the optical fiber connector when theoptical fiber connector is plugged into the port to retain the opticalfiber connector in the port so that the fiber alignment axis extendsparallel to the first axis.
 17. An optical fiber connector configured toplug into a port of an adapter comprising a latching recess, the opticalfiber connector comprising: an MT ferrule, the MT ferrule configured toreceive at least eight optical fibers at spaced apart locations along afiber alignment axis; an outer housing having a front end portion and arear end portion spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the outerhousing receiving the MT ferrule therein such that the MT ferrule isexposed through the front end portion for making an optical connection,the outer housing having a generally rectangular cross sectional shape,the outer housing comprising opposite first and second sides spacedapart along the fiber alignment axis and opposite third and fourth sidesspaced apart along a perpendicular axis perpendicular to the fiberalignment axis, the first and second sides having a first dimensionalong the perpendicular axis and the third and fourth sides having asecond dimension along the fiber alignment axis, the first dimensionbeing less than the second dimension; and a depressible latch armconnected to the first side of the outer housing such that thedepressible latch arm is spaced apart along the fiber alignment axisfrom the MT ferrule, the depressible latch arm comprising a front endportion and a hook portion spaced apart rearwardly from the front endportion along the longitudinal axis, the front end portion of thedepressible latch arm being connected to the outer housing and thedepressible latch arm being resiliently biased toward an non-depressedposition at which hook portion is spaced apart from the first side ofthe outer housing along the fiber alignment axis, the hook portion ofthe latch arm being configured to latch into the latching recess of theadapter when the optical fiber connector plugs into the port, thedepressible latch arm being configured to be depressed such that thehook portion moves toward the MT ferrule along the fiber alignment axisto unlatch the hook portion from the latching recess and release theoptical fiber connector from the adapter port.